Quick Facts

• Location: Oxford, Massachusetts
• Address: 11 Buffum Dam Rd, Oxford, MA 01540 according to the school’s current main pages; one contact page inconsistently displays 1 Buffum Dam Rd, so applicants should confirm before visiting
• School Type: Private Trade & Technical School
• Programs Offered: HVAC/R, Facility Maintenance, Welding, Oil & Gas Heat, Refrigeration, Steam Engineering, Pipefitting, Wastewater & Continuing Education
• Training Style: Classroom theory combined with extensive hands-on laboratory training
• Tuition Range: Contact TLC for current program-specific tuition
• Program Length: Approximately 8–42 weeks depending on program
• Online Programs Available: Yes — selected pipefitting, refrigeration-code, wastewater and continuing-education courses
• Hybrid Learning: Program-dependent; core career programs are mostly in person while selected license courses are online
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, MassHire, GI Bill, 529 plans and installment plans for qualifying programs/students
• Class Options: Day, evening and online options depending on program
• Accreditation: ACCSC accreditation is stated for the HVAC/R Technician, Facility Maintenance and Welding Technology career programs
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.7 (54 Reviews)
• Website: Technology Learning Center

Overview

Technology Learning Center, or TLC, is a private trade school in Oxford specializing in HVAC/R, welding and industrial/facility operations. Unlike many general career colleges, TLC focuses heavily on mechanical trades and Massachusetts licensing preparation.

Its main career programs include HVAC/R Technician, HVAC/R and Facility Maintenance, and Welding Technology. The school also offers shorter training in oil and gas heat, commercial refrigeration, electrical code, steam engineering, pipefitting and wastewater operations.

TLC’s Oxford training facility uses functioning workshops so students can practice directly on HVAC and trade equipment rather than relying exclusively on classroom instruction.

Programs Offered

Current training areas include:

• HVAC/R Technician
• HVAC/R & Facility Maintenance
• Welding Technology
• Welding Basics
• Combined Oil & Gas Heat Technology
• Combined Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
• Electrical Code for Refrigeration
• Steam Engineering / Power Plant Operation
• Pipefitting
• Wastewater Treatment
• Continuing Education

HVAC/R Technician Program

TLC’s primary HVAC/R career program is HVACR 101.

Current program details:

• 420 clock hours
• 21 weeks
• Day and evening options
• Approximately 50% classroom and 50% hands-on laboratory instruction
• Preparation for the Massachusetts Oil Burner License Exam
• 160 hours of refrigeration theory toward state licensing requirements
• EPA certification preparation
• OSHA 10 opportunity

Students study heating systems, air conditioning, refrigeration, system installation, troubleshooting, duct sizing and controls.

HVAC/R & Facility Maintenance

The more comprehensive HVACR 103 Facility Maintenance program includes 900 clock hours over approximately 42 weeks.

Training extends beyond ordinary HVAC into:

• Commercial refrigeration
• Facility systems
• Renewable energy and geothermal
• Welding and equipment maintenance
• Wastewater treatment
• Plant operations

Federal financial aid, MassHire, GI Bill benefits, 529 plans and monthly installments are listed as potential funding options for qualifying students.

Welding Technology

TLC’s accredited Welding Technology program consists of:

• 620 clock hours
• 31 weeks
• MIG, TIG, GMAW and FCAW
• Gas and arc welding theory
• Blueprint reading
• Cutting procedures
• Welding safety

At completion, students are evaluated in SMAW/Stick welding by an independent AWS Certified Welding Inspector under AWS D1.1 structural welding standards. Students who meet the requirements receive a Welding Operator Qualification Test Report.

An eight-week Welding Basics continuing-education course is also offered.

Online Learning

TLC does offer genuine online options, but primarily for specialized coursework rather than the full hands-on career programs.

For example, HVACR 04 Electrical Code for Refrigeration can be completed either:

• In person — approximately 20 weeks
• Online — approximately 13 weeks

The course provides 150 clock hours of electrical-code education required toward Massachusetts Refrigeration Technician licensing.

TLC also offers online pipefitting and wastewater/continuing-education courses.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Current tuition figures for the major accredited programs are not prominently displayed on TLC’s public program pages, so I would use:

Tuition: Contact Technology Learning Center for current program-specific tuition and fees.

Funding options include:

• Federal Financial Aid/FAFSA for qualifying programs and students
• MassHire workforce funding
• GI Bill benefits
• 529 plans
• Monthly installment plans

Students should confirm which specific program qualifies before assuming federal aid is available.

Why Students Choose This School

• Strong HVAC/R specialization
• 21-week HVAC technician pathway
• 31-week Welding Technology program
• 42-week HVAC/facility-maintenance program
• Day and evening schedules
• Massachusetts licensing-hour preparation
• AWS welding evaluation
• FAFSA and MassHire funding for qualifying programs
• Selected online licensing courses

Career Opportunities

Depending on the program, graduates may pursue entry-level work as:

• HVAC/R Technician
• Heating Technician
• Refrigeration Technician
• Facility Maintenance Technician
• Building Maintenance Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Boiler or Steam Plant Operator
• Pipefitter Apprentice
• Industrial Maintenance Worker

Completing training does not automatically grant a Massachusetts trade license. Students should verify the remaining field-experience, apprenticeship and examination requirements for their chosen occupation.

Student Reviews

Based on your listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.7 (54 Reviews)

The combination of a high rating and more than 50 reviews provides a useful amount of public feedback for comparison.

Enrollment Tips

• Confirm which TLC program qualifies for federal financial aid
• HVAC students should ask exactly how licensing hours apply to Massachusetts requirements
• Compare the 21-week HVACR 101 with the more comprehensive 42-week HVACR 103
• Welding students should ask what AWS testing costs are included
• Check the current day/evening schedule before enrolling
• Confirm the exact Oxford street number before visiting because the school’s current pages show inconsistent address formatting

Bottom Line

Technology Learning Center is a strong Central Massachusetts option for students interested in HVAC/R, welding and facility-maintenance careers. Its 21-week HVAC program, 31-week welding program and 42-week facility-maintenance pathway provide different levels of career preparation, while Massachusetts licensing coursework and selected online classes make TLC useful both for beginners and working tradespeople advancing toward professional credentials.